Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments

The New York Review Children's Collection began in 2003 in an attempt to reward readers who have long wished for the return of their favorite titles and to introduce those books to a new generation of readers. The line publishes picture books for preschoolers through to chapter books and novels for older children. Praised for their elegant design and sturdy bindings, these books set a new standard for the definition of a "classic."

Among the 40 titles included in this collection you will find Wee Gillis, a Caldecott Honor Book by the creators of The Story of Ferdinand; Esther Averill's time-honored Jenny and the Cat Club series; The House of Arden by E. Nesbit, one of J.K. Rowling's favorite writers; several titles by the award-winning team of Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire, including their Book of Norse Myths and Book of Animals; James Thurber's The Thirteen Clocks and The Wonderful O, both with illustrations by Marc Simont. Not to be missed is the classic animal adventure story Bel Ria by Sheila Burnford, the author of The Incredible Journey; Lucretia Hale's hilarious The Peterkin Papers; James Cloyd Bowman's Newbery Honor Book, Pecos Bill; and holiday favorites by John Masefield, The Midnight Folk and The Box of Delights.

About the Author

James Cloyd Bowman (1880—1961) was born in Ohio. After completing his graduate studies at Harvard, he taught English at Iowa State College and later became the head of the English department at Northern State Teacher's College in Michigan. He wrote many award-winning books for children, including The Adventures of Paul Bunyan.

Laura Bannon (1895—1963) was born in Michigan. She attended the Art Institute of Chicago, where she later taught in the children's art program. She wrote and illustrated over thirty books and won the Children's Reading Round Table award for her contribution to children's literature.